Device for introducing a needle

ABSTRACT

A device for introducing a needle for injecting a liquid substance, wherein the device includes a housing, a rear longitudinal part forming a portion of the housing and including a piercing needle, the rear longitudinal part being connectable to an injection device separate from the housing, a front longitudinal part forming another portion of the housing and including an injection needle for delivering said liquid, and a flexible connection between the piercing needle and the injection needle.

This application claims the priority of PCT application numberPCT/CH97/00434, filed Nov. 17, 1997, which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a device for introducing a needle for injectinga liquid substance. With conventional injection devices known, there isoften the problem that the user himself is unable to introduce theinjection needle into the tissue skin or subcutaneously and is dependenton assistance or a trained person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a device forintroducing a needle which makes it possible to relieve the user ofhaving to introduce the injection needle into the tissue skin orsubcutaneously, and which permits administration of the individualizeddose by means of the conventional injection device.

The invention achieves this object by providing a device for introducinga needle comprising a rear longitudinal part including a piercingneedle, the rear longitudinal part being connectable to a conventionalinjection device; a frontal longitudinal part including an injectionneedle for delivering said liquid substance into the tissue skin orsubcutaneously; and a flexible connection between said piercing needleand said injection needle.

Serving as the control element is an initiator sleeve arrangedlongitudinally shiftable on a piercing needle mount, mounting thepiercing needle, and cooperates with an injection needle mount, mountingthe injection needle, and likewise longitudinally shiftable in a stoppersleeve.

Introducing the injection needle into the tissue skin or subcutaneouslyafter manual activation of the initiator sleeve occurs in that theinjection needle mount together with the injection needle is moved bymeans of the force of a spring automatically in the direction of thetissue skin. Following automatic introduction of the injection needle inthe tissue skin or subcutaneously, the user is able to administer thedose of liquid substance required by means of the conventional injectiondevice.

The device for introducing a needle in accordance with the invention hasthe salient advantage that it can be coupled to any commerciallyavailable, conventional injection device, that it offers highly reliableassurance in controlling the introduction depth of the injection needleinto the tissue skin or subcutaneously, and that this device forintroducing a needle has a relatively simple configuration and, thus, isreasonably priced.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention read from the sub-claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the Figures inwhich:

FIG. 1: is a longitudinal section through the device for introducing aneedle in accordance with the invention, the device being in thestarting position or resting position;

FIG. 2: is a longitudinal section through the device for introducing aneedle in accordance with FIG. 1, the device being in the safety releaseposition after removal of the safety cap; and

FIG. 3: is a longitudinal section through the device for introducing aneedle after manual activation of the initiator sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the device for introducinga needle in accordance with the invention for injecting a liquidsubstance. The device for introducing a needle can be coupled to theconventional injection device 12, for example, by a screw lock or by alatch cam mount (not shown). Via the piercing needle 2 provided at oneend of the device for introducing a needle, the device for introducing aneedle is connected to the pen cartridge 13 of the conventionalinjection device 12. Via the injection needle 1 provided at the otherend of the device for introducing a needle, the liquid substance isinjectable into the tissue skin or subcutaneously. Provided between thepiercing needle 2 and the injection needle 1 is the flexible connection5 for liquid substance transport. The procedure of introducing theinjection needle 1 into the tissue skin or subcutaneously occursautomatically after manual activation of a control element in the formof the initiator sleeve 9 of the device for introducing a needle, afterwhich, the liquid substance can be administered via the conventionalinjection device 12. The initiator sleeve 9 is arranged longitudinallyshiftable on the piercing needle mount 4 mounting the piercing needle 2and cooperates with the injection needle mount 3, likewiselongitudinally shiftable in the piercing needle mount 4 and in thestopper sleeve 7, said injection needle mount 3 mounting the injectionneedle 1. Introduction of the injection needle 1 into the tissue skin orsubcutaneously occurs after manual activation of the initiator sleeve 9by means of the force of the spring 6, in that the injection needlemount 3 together with the injection needle 1 is automatically moved inthe direction of the tissue skin. In this way, the spring 6 is supportedat its one end by the fixed piercing needle mount 4 and moves by itsother end the injection needle mount 3 including the injection needle 1in the direction of the tissue skin into which the injection needle 1 isautomatically introduced. The cooperation of the initiator sleeve 9 andthe injection needle mount 3 in manual activation of the initiatorsleeve 9 occurs via the bevel tapers 14 by which the injection needlemount 3 is squeezed diametrically to thus defeat the lock consisting ofthe stopper 15 of the stopper sleeve 7 and the mounting cams 10′, 10″ ofthe injection needle mount 3 and thereby enabling the spring 6 todevelop its urging effect. After manual activation of the initiatorsleeve 9, the injection needle mount 3 together with the injectionneedle 1 is automatically moved in the direction of the tissue skin bythe force of the spring 6 until the face 11′ of the injection needlemount 3 comes up against the face 11″ of the stopper sleeve 7. Oncompletion of injection, the injection needle mount 3 with the injectionneedle 1 can be shifted back manually by means of the safety cap 8surrounding the stopper sleeve 7 against the force of the spring 6 untilthe lock comprising the stopper 15 of the stopper sleeve 7 and themounting cams 10′, 10″ of the injection needle mount 3 is againeffective. At the same time, the initiator sleeve 9 is longitudinallyshifted by means of the bevel tapers 14 in the direction of theconventional injection device 12 by the safety cap 8 so that theinitiator sleeve 9 is retracted into the starting position or restingposition and is ready for a repeat manual activation. For retracting theinjection needle mount 3 with the injection needle 1 by means of thesafety cap 8, the latter is provided in its interior with a protectivecylinder 16 surrounding the injection needle 1, this protective cylinder16 having, for one thing, the function of protecting the injectionneedle 1 and, for another, the function of contacting by its open endthe face 11′ of the injection needle mount 3 and thus retracting theinjection needle mount 3 together with the injection needle as well asthe initiator sleeve 9 into the starting position when the safety cap 8is shifted into the condition protecting the injection needle 1.

The functioning of the device for introducing a needle in accordancewith the invention will now be described.

The device for introducing a needle is mechanically coupled to theconventional injection device 12 by e.g. a screw lock or by a latch cammount or similar, the piercing needle 2 piercing the pen cartridgeseptum to ensure that the liquid substance to be injected communicateswith the device for introducing a needle. The user then locates thedevice for introducing a needle to the preferred tissue skin locationbefore then activating the initiator sleeve 9 by pushing itlongitudinally down in the direction of the tissue skin until the lockconsisting of the stopper 15 of the stopper sleeve 7 and the mountingcams 10′, 10″ of the injection needle mount 3 is defeated. This enablesthe spring 6 to develop its force and automatically urge the injectionneedle mount 3 with the injection needle 1 in the direction of thetissue skin until the face 11′ of the injection needle mount 3 comes upagainst the face 11″ of the stopper sleeve 7, as a result of which theinjection needle 1 is automatically introduced into the tissue skin.Now, the user is able to deliver the dose of liquid substance to beadministered by means of the conventional injection device 12. Oncompletion of injection, the injection needle mount 3 with the injectionneedle 1 can be manually shifted back against the force of the spring 6by means of the safety cap 8 surrounding the stopper sleeve 7. The lockis again effective and, at the same time, the initiator sleeve 9 returnsto its starting position or resting position. The piercing needle mount3 may be preferably slotted in the region of the bevel tapers 14 toimprove its elasticity when it is squeezed in cooperating with theinitiator sleeve 9 during activation to defeat the lock.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a longitudinal sectionthrough the device for introducing a needle in the released conditionafter removal of the safety cap 8. Except for this safety cap 8, FIG. 2is substantially identical to FIG. 1. The reference numerals areidentical in both figures.

FIG. 3 illustrates a longitudinal section through the device forintroducing a needle after manual activation of the initiator sleeve 9.It is evident from this figure how, immediately after defeating the lockconsisting of the stopper 15 of the stopper sleeve 7 and the mountingcams 10′, 10″ of the injection needle mount 3, due to cooperation of thebevel tapers 14 of the injection needle mount 3 and initiator sleeve 9,the injection needle mount 3 is flexibly squeezed so that the spring 6can develop its force and automatic introduction of the injection needle1 into the tissue skin or subcutaneously can commence.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention is applicable foradministering medications preferably. However, it may also be used inall applications in which a liquid substance is to be introduced into abody and the injection needle is required to be inserted automatically.

In the foregoing description, a preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possiblein light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and describedto provide the best illustration of the principals of the invention andits practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in theart to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the invention asdetermined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance withthe breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for introducing a needle for injecting aliquid substance, said device comprising: a housing; a rear longitudinalpart forming a portion of the housing and including a piercing needle,the rear longitudinal part being connectable to an injection deviceseparate from the housing; a front longitudinal part forming anotherportion of the housing and including an injection needle for deliveringsaid liquid; and a flexible connection between said piercing needle andsaid injection needle.
 2. The device as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid device is connectable via said piercing needle to said injectiondevice, said liquid substance injectable into a user's tissue, skin orsubcutaneously via said injection needle, and wherein the procedure ofintroducing said injection needle into the tissue, skin orsubcutaneously occurs automatically following manual activation of acontrol element accommodated in said rear longitudinal part, said liquidsubstance thus being administered via said injection device.
 3. Thedevice as set forth in claim 2, wherein said control element is aninitiator sleeve shiftable longitudinally on a piercing needle mount formounting said piercing needle and cooperating with a likewiselongitudinally shiftable injection needle mount for mounting saidinjection needle.
 4. The device as set forth in claim 3, furthercomprising a spring, wherein the automatic introducing of said injectionneedle into the tissue, skin or subcutaneously is driven by the spring.5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said spring is supportedat its one end by said piercing needle mount and at its other end bysaid injection needle mount.
 6. The device as set forth in claim 3,wherein said cooperation of said initiator sleeve and said injectionneedle mount in the manual activation of said initiator sleeve occursvia bevel tapers by which said injection needle mount is squeezeddiametrically thereby defeating a lock comprising a stopper and mountingcams associated with the injection needle mount such that said springcan develop its urging effect.
 7. The device as set forth in claim 6,wherein, after manual activation of said initiator sleeve, saidinjection needle mount and injection needle automatically move towardsaid tissue or skin by said force of said spring until a face of saidinjection needle mount comes up against a face of a stopper sleeve. 8.The device as set forth in claim 7, wherein, upon completion of aninjection, said injection needle mount and injection needle can beshifted back manually by means of a safety cap surrounding said stoppersleeve against said force of said spring until said lock is againeffective and, at the same time, said initiator sleeve is longitudinallyshiftable by means of said bevel tapers in the direction of saidinjection device, said initiator sleeve then ready for a repeated manualactivation.
 9. The device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said safetycap is provided in its interior with a protective cylinder surroundingsaid injection needle.
 10. The device as set forth in claim 9, whereinit is suitable for administering medications.
 11. The device as setforth in claim 1, wherein said flexible connection is an elongatedtubular member suitable for transporting a liquid and is providedbetween said piercing needle and said injection needle.
 12. A device foruse with an injection device for automatically introducing into a useran injection needle for injecting a liquid substance, said devicecomprising: a housing; a rear longitudinal part forming a portion of thehousing and carrying a piercing needle, the rear longitudinal partadapted for connection to the injection device that is separate from thehousing; a front longitudinal part forming another portion of thehousing and carrying the injection needle; and an elongated flexibleconnection disposed within the housing between the piercing needle andinjection needle.
 13. The device according to claim 12, furthercomprising a manually-operable control element associated with the rearlongitudinal part, wherein, after operation of the control element, theintroduction of the injection needle into said user occursautomatically.
 14. A device for introducing a needle for injecting aliquid substance, said device comprising: a rear longitudinal partincluding a piercing needle, the rear longitudinal part beingconnectable to an injection device; a front longitudinal part biased forautomated movement separate and independently from said piercing needleand including an injection needle for delivering said liquid; and aflexible connection between said piercing needle and said injectionneedle.
 15. The device as set forth in claim 14, wherein said device isconnectable via said piercing needle to said injection device, saidliquid substance injectable into a user's tissue, skin or subcutaneouslyvia said injection needle, and wherein the procedure of introducing saidinjection needle into the tissue, skin or subcutaneously occursautomatically by advancement of said injection needle separate from andrelative to said piercing needle following manual activation of acontrol element accommodated in said rear longitudinal part, said liquidsubstance thus being administered via said injection device.
 16. Thedevice as set forth in claim 15, wherein said control element is aninitiator sleeve shiftable longitudinally on a piercing needle mount formounting said piercing needle and cooperating with a likewiselongitudinally shiftable injection needle mount for mounting saidinjection needle.
 17. The device as set forth in claim 16, furthercomprising a spring, wherein the automatic introducing of said injectionneedle into the tissue, skin or subcutaneously is driven by the spring.18. The device as set forth in claim 17, wherein said spring issupported at its one end by said piercing needle mount and at its otherend by said injection needle mount.
 19. The device as set forth in claim16, wherein said cooperation of said initiator sleeve and said injectionneedle mount in the manual activation of said initiator sleeve occursvia bevel tapers by which said injection needle mount is squeezeddiametrically thereby defeating a lock comprising a stopper and mountingcams associated with the injection needle mount such that said springcan develop its urging effect.
 20. The device as set forth in claim 19,wherein, after manual activation of said initiator sleeve, saidinjection needle mount and injection needle automatically move towardsaid tissue or skin by said force of said spring until a face of saidinjection needle mount comes up against a face of a stopper sleeve. 21.The device as set forth in claim 20, wherein, upon completion of aninjection, said injection needle mount and injection needle can beshifted back manually by means of a safety cap surrounding said stoppersleeve against said force of said spring until said lock is againeffective and, at the same time, said initiator sleeve is longitudinallyshiftable by means of said bevel tapers in the direction of saidinjection device, said initiator sleeve then ready for a repeated manualactivation.
 22. The device as set forth in claim 14, wherein saidflexible connection is an elongated tubular member suitable fortransporting a liquid and is provided between said piercing needle andsaid injection needle.